Boxing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

THE BOXING MACHINE RECEIVES ACCORDIAN FOLDED PAPER IN STACKS FROM A FOLDING MACHINE, AND INCLUDES MEANS FOR FORMING A PAPER SLING BY WHICH A STACK IS AUTOMATICALLY LOWERED INTO AN OPEN SHIPPING BOX OR CARTON, THE SLING AFTER USE AS SUCH, IS SEVERED FROM A ROLL OF PAPER CARRIED BY THE BOXING MACHINE, AND IS DEPOSITED, WITH THE STACK INTO THE SHIPPING BOX FOR SUBSEQUENT USE AS A SLING IN EFFECTIVELY REMOVING THE STACK FROM THE SHIPPING BOX.

1971 H. w. HUFFMAN BOXING METHOD AND APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, 1968 l/VVE/VTUR HAROLD W. HUFFMAN Jan. 19, 1971 H. w. HUFFMAN 3,555,767

BOXING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HAROLD W. HUFFMAN H- W. HUFFMAN BOXING METHOD AND APPARATUS Jan. 19, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 21, l968 mivslvrofi HAROLD W. HUFFMAN Jan. 19, 1971 H. w. HUFFMAN 3,555,767

BOXING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 H- W. HUFFMAN BOXING METHOD AND APPARATUS Jan. 19;, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 21, 1968 INVENTOR HAROLD W. HUFFMAN United States Patent 3,555,767 BOXING METHOD AND APPARATUS Harold W. Huffman, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to The Hamilton Tool Company, Hamilton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Nov. 21, 1968, Ser. No. 777,582 Int. Cl. B65b /00, 35/50 U.S. Cl. 5337 29 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The boxing machine receives accordian folded paper in stacks from a folding machine, and includes means for forming a paper sling by which a stack is automatically lowered into an open shipping box or carton; the sling after use as such, is severed from a roll of paper carried by the boxing machine, and is deposited, with the stack, into the shipping box for subsequent use as a sling in effectively removing the stack from the shipping box.

This invention relates to a boxing method and apparatus, and is concerned particularly with the boxing or packaging of floppy, unmanageable, or intractable articles of commerce, such as paper sheet accordian folded in long lengths, which are difiicult to handle or manage after they leave the folding machine in condition for boxing or packaging.

Long lengths of paper folded in accordian fashion are commonly used as business forms. The folding is performed continuously at high speed in automatic machines, and each fold may be constituted of a few, or many sheets, some of which may be carbon or copy sheets or the like for duplicating purposes. The paper in accordian:

folded condition leaves the folding machine usually on a belt conveyor, and common practice heretofore has been to sever the advancing column of folded paper at regular intervals along its length while the column rests upon the moving conveyor, and then insert the severed stacks consecutively by hand into boxes or cartons. Due to the floppy unmanageable nature of the accordian folded paper stacks, boxing thereof was often interrupted by reason of the stacks slipping from the hands of the attendant, this resulting in confusion and a great waste of material, labor and time in the packaging operation.

The folded paper forms, delivered to the user in boxes or cartons as above stated, were as difiicult to handle in removing them from the boxes or cartons, as in loading them thereinto. It was not uncommon for the folded forms to slip from the hands of the recipient while removing them from the boxes, to produce a great disorderly heap very difiicult to restore to an orderly folded and stacked condition. This, of course, was very annoying, as well as costly in expenditure of time and labor, and sometimes resulted in soiling of the forms to the extent of prohibiting their use.

An object of the present invention is to facilitate and expedite the boxing of accordian folded sheets in stacks, automatically and with effective elimination of the handling difficulties above mentioned. The boxing method and apparatus herein disclosed not only facilitates and perfects the boxing operation, but also the unloading of the paper stacks from the boxes after delivery to the user. This is done by means of a paper sling supplied automatically and used for lowering each paper stack into the open top of a shipping box or carton, the sling remaining with the stack inside the box so as to provide for suspension and effective control of the stack as it is removed from the box by the recipient or user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a highly effective, reliable, and simple automatic machine or ap- Patented Jan. 19, 1971 paratus for loading boxes with intractable articles such as multi-folded paper stacks, with the use of an inexpensive paper sling applied automatically by the machine or apparatus from a roll of paper, the sling remaining in the box with the contents thereof, for use as an aid in removing the contents from the box; the sling possessing the further advantage of serving as a printed advertising sheet directed to the recipient of the shipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which in operation, feeds paper from a roll to provide a sling; maintains the intermediate or saddle portion of the sling in taut condition while said portion receives and supports a load of paper to be boxed; lowers the sling evenly by its opposite arms or suspension members into a suitable open box or carton, along with the load; cuts off the sling from the paper roll; and automatically produces a subsequent sling for acceptance of another load or paper stack to be lowered and boxed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character and for the purposes stated, which may be attached to or positioned at the discharge end of a stack conveyor, the apparatus being so constructed as to require a minimum amount of care, servicing, or adjustment.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view in perspective, showing the boxing machine of the invention attached to a supply conveyor for advancing accordian folded sheet material to be loaded into a box or carton shown.

FIG. 2. is a vertical section of the FIG. 1 machine as seen in looking toward the observer of FIG. 1, certain parts of the machine being shown schematically, and the machine of FIG. 2 being in readiness to begin a cycle of operation.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the rnovable carriage or swing arm thereof in a partially advanced position.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the carriage or swing arm fully advanced, and the folded sheet material being lowered into a box by means of a sling formed of paper.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the boxed material released from the box support, and drawing the sling taut for severance from a paper roll.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the machine, showing that side thereof which appears in perspective upon FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing a modification of the upper portion of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmental perspective view of a box support which forms a detail of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the boxing machine, indicating the operating sequence and the electrical and pneumatic controls therefor.

FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram for the electric controls of the boxing machine.

For a general understanding of the invention, reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 9, which illustrate a stationary main frame 12 having a transverse arbor 14 supporting a roll 16 of inexpensive wrapping paper. Above the paper roll is located a short belt conveyor 18 to receive accordian folded commercial paper 20 brought thereto by the belt conveyor 22 of a folding machine (not shown). The feed of accordian folded paper indicated at 20 may be continuous, and for the purposes of the present invention it may be assumed that an attendant stands alongside the conveyor 22, using a knife-like instrument to sever from the advancing column 20, a succession of stacks or parcels each containing fifty folds, or any given number of folds. Usually, the attendant will place the severed parcels of fifty connected sheets upon the conveyor 18 of the boxing machine, as rapidly as said conveyor 18 advances the parcels for boxing. A shipping box is denoted 30, and may be constructed, as usual, of paperboard or the like.

As is best illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the accordian folded paper denoted 20, is placed on conveyor 18 by the attendant, with the sheets of the stack disposed horizontally. It will be noted by referring to FIG. 1, that the sheets are more or less upright in folds when brought to the attendant by the conveyor 22 of an automatic folding machine.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 9, it is noted that the boxing machine includes an inclined swing arm or movable carriage 24, which at its lower end is pivotally mounted on a transverse shaft 26 supported by main frame 12. The arm or carriage 24 is movable about pivot shaft 26, from position H (FIG. 9), to position K, and back to position H. There is also an intermediate position A, through which the rock arm or carriage passes, without hesitation, as will be explained.

The H position of carriage or arm 24, will be considered the fully retracted position thereof, and the K position will be considered the fully advanced position thereof. The H position, or the fully retracted position, is the normal position from which a cycle of operation commences, FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows how, during a cycle of operation, paper from the roll 16 is stretched taut at 28 to support a stack 20 advanced by conveyor 18. Then, as indicated by FIG. 4, the paper from roll 16 becomes a sling whose saddle portion 28 supports the stack '20, while the suspension reaches or arms 32 and 34 of the sling lower the stack evenly and gently into a shipping carton or box 30. Finally, as indicated by FIG. 5, the sling reach 34 will be severed from the paper of roll 16 at a location near the upper end of rock arm or carriage member 24, to release the boxed parcel from the boxing machine to a delivery conveyor 36. The sling, as previously mentioned, remains with the stack or parcel of accordian folded sheets within box 30, for subsequent use in removing the stack from the box with ease and dispatch. With each boxing operation, a new sling is provided automatically from paper roll 16, to accompany the stack or parcel boxed for shipment.

The foregoing furnishes a general statement of oper ation which should be of assistance in understanding the structural make-up of the boxing machine or apparatus, as well as the method of operation.

Before the machine is placed in operation, the attendant places an open-topped empty box 30 upon box support or platform 38, which box support may be a short antifriction roller-conveyor section 38, FIG. 8, pivoted upon frame 12 at 40 for free tilting movement from a normally horizontal position to a position of slight inclination. The tiltable platform or support 38 may carry an adjustable stop rail 42 which positions the box 30 relative to pivot 40, so that the weight of the box when empty will not tilt the support 38 from its normally horizontal position. A series of weights 44 applied to support 38, for disposition toward and from pivot 40, serve to counterbalance the weight of box 30. By adjusting the weights 44 and rail 42, the box support may be caused to remain horizontal while supporting an empty box, whereas upon receiving the added weight of a paper stack or parcel 20, the loaded box will cause tilting of the box support 38 toward delivery conveyor 36 (FIGS. and 9). Tilting of the box support 38 induces a gravity advancement of the loaded box onto delivery conveyor 36, to positions 30a and 3012.

Upon advancement of the loaded box from the tiltable support 38, said support 38 will be returned to the normally horizontal position by the action of weights 44. A stop 46 may be employed to limit tilting of support 38 in one direction.

On FIG. 8, the numeral 50 indicates ball-bearing stops adjustably mounted upon frame 12, to establish the position of an empty box crosswise upon support 38 when placed thereon by an attendant, as will be understood.

Best seen upon FIG. 4, the paper from roll 16 is threaded under a roller 52, upwardly over a roller 54 where pressure is applied by a gripper roll 56; from here the paper projects straight outwardly between spaced platens 58 and 60, and extends over the top of a support roller 62. The paper depends from support roller 62, in FIG. 4, to become one of the suspension reaches 34 of sling 28. Support roller 62 is carried by a pair of parallel arms 64 pivoted upon the frame of conveyor 18 at 66, for swinging movement downwardly according to FIG. 5, wherein the lowered position of support roller 62 is shown by broken lines 62. The parallel arms 64 are swung about pivot 66 by means of a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 68, thereby to dispose support roller 62 to either the elevated position or the lowered position of FIGS. 4 and 5.

The double-acting pneumatic cylinder 68 may be conventionally connected with a two-way valve 70 (FIG. 9), controlled by a solenoid 72, to drive the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder in either of two directions for shifting the support roller 62 as above stated. When support roller 62 is lowered, as in FIGS. 5 and 2, paper may be advanced through the throat between platens 58 and 60 by the gripper rolls 54, 56, to a space between upper and lower rollers 74 and 76 carried by the head of arm or carriage member 24, this advancement of the paper taking place "when the arm or carriage member 24 is in the fully retracted position, denoted H in FIG. 9, and shown most advantageously 'by FIG. 2. The paper is fed between rollers 74 and 76, FIG. 2, until it depends to a position P above the level of box support 38. This feed of paper from supply roll 16 may be effected by operation of an electric motor 78 which drives the gripper rolls 54, 56, during an interval established by a timer TRZ, FIG. 10.

The carriage gripper rolls 74 and 76 are normally urged toward one another yieldingly, as by means of a pressure device 80 containing a compression spring or equivalent means such as pressure of fluid, tending constantly to elongate the pressure device and thereby rotate a cam 82 clockwise to the normal horizontal position of FIG. 3, this being the limit of the clockwise rotation. In this normal position of cam 82, the gripper rolls 74 and 76 grip the paper which had been fed between them from supply roll 16, while said rolls 74 and 76 were spaced apart as before mentioned.

The spacing of rolls 74 and 76 from one another occurs at the fully retracted position of carriage 24 (FIG. 2), when the nose of cam 82 advances upon a shaft 84 to effect a counter-clockwise rotation of cam 82 and of the eccentrically mounted bearings 86 for the shaft of roll 74. The action of cam 82 resulting from a full retraction of carriage 24, depresses the pressure device 80, permitting the eccentric bearings 86 to withdraw roll 74 from roll 76. The rolls so separated are thereby conditioned to accept therebetween the leading edge P of paper advanced by gripper rolls 54, 56 as motor 78 is energized for a limited period of time by the action of timer TRZ previously mentioned.

Assuming now a relationship of parts according to FIG. 2, if a stack 20 is placed by an attendant on conveyor 18, the stack will strike and actuate a detector switch 1 LS, which closes the electric circuit of a solenoid 88 (FIG. 9). Solenoid 88 controls a two-way pneumatic valve 90 which, in conventional manner, is fluid-connected with a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 92, the function of which cylinder 92 is that of moving the arm or carriage 24 to and from the positions of advancement and retraction denoted K and H, respectively, upon FIG. 9. The second cylinder, 94, is merely a dash-pot for cushioning return of the carriage to retracted position.

Rigidly fixed to one side of carriage 24, at 96 (FIG. 6), is an elongate tie bar 100 having a pivotal connection at 98 upon an endless chain 102. Whenever cylinder 92 acts to rock carriage 24 about its pivot 26 the outer end 98 of tie bar 100 swings with the carriage 24 to drive the chain 102 and rotate the sprockets 104 and 106 over which the chain is trained. Sprocket 106 includes an overrunning clutch (not shown), which permits sprocket 106 to rest while conveyor 18 is driven to advance parcels rather slowly in the direction of gripper roll 74. Said conveyor 18 is constantly rather slowly driven from conveyor 22 by a chain drive 108, but when carriage 24 is swung outwardly by the relatively rapid action of pneumatic cylinder 92, tie bar 100 will move with carriage 24 to an elevated position carrying with it the connected reach of chain 102, thereby to drive the sprocket 106 and the conveyor 18 associated therewith, at a greater speed than is imparted thereto by drive 108. The effect of the increased speed of conveyor 18, is to advance a stack or parcel such as 20 onto the paper sling at 28, FIG. 6, while the paper web constituting the sling is drawn taut between the gripper rolls 74 and 56. See also FIG. 3.

It will be noted by referring to FIG. 9, that the piston rod 110 of pneumatic cylinder 92 carries a dog or cam 112, which upon advancement of rod 110 will strike and actuate an electric switch 2LS as arm or carriage 24 moves from H to the intermediate position A. This switch 2LS in closing, actuates the solenoid 72, which in turn actuates valve 70 to direct a fluid into pneumatic cylinder 68 for elevating the support roller 62 from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3. Roller 62 so elevated, supports the stack 20 and the sling saddle 28 at the approximate level of the highest point of conveyor 18. It will be noted also that cam 82 has left shaft 84, permitting pressure device 80 to close the grip of rollers 74 and 76 upon the paper web P.

With the web gripped by rollers 74 and 76, further advancement of carriage 24 by cylinder 92 causes the web to pay off from roll 16, through the gripper rolls 54, 56, the gripper roll 56 having associated therewith a one-way clutch (not shown) permitting the pay-off.

When carriage 24 reaches the fully advanced or K position (FIG. 9) the cam 112 will have advanced to actuate a second electric switch 4LS. This switch 4LS initiates the closing of an electric circuit through motor 78, which according to FIG. 4 gently and evenly lowers the stack 20 by way of the paper sling, into a box 30. This is best illustrated by FIG. 6, wherein is shown the motor 78 driving a sprocket 114 transmitting slow rotation to a gear 116, said gear 116 being meshed with a gear 118 on a shaft 119. Shaft 119 carries a sprocket 120, which through the agency of sprockets and transmission chains 122, 124 and 126, rotates the gripper roll 76 in counterclockwise direction, FIG. 6. The shaft carrying sprocket 116 carries also the gripper roll 54, which is driven in clockwise direction, or opposite to the direction of rotation of gripper roll 76. Accordingly, the motor 78 provides the drive whereby the sling and stack 20 of FIG. 4 are lowered evenly and gently into box 30.

The operation of motor 78 in lowering the sling and stack 20 into box 30, is terminated by a timer TRZ which permits full deposit of the stack into the box, with release of the suspension end 32 of the sling from rollers 74 and 76. As soon as stack 20 comes to rest within box 30, the weight of the package acts to tilt conveyor section 38 about its pivot 40 in the direction of delivery conveyor 36, thereby inducing gravitation of the package according to FIG. 5 onto conveyor 36.

It will be evident from FIG. 5, that the sling reach 34 is still intact, but must be severed from the web of roll 16 in order to free the package 30a from the machine. The necessary severance may be performed by a pair of serrated knife blades 130 and 132 (FIG. 4). These blades sever the web upon return of the carriage or arm 6 24 to the fully retracted position (H), shown by broken lines 24 upon FIG. 4.

The return of carriage 24 to retracted position is effected by the closing of contacts in an electric switch 3LS, the switch being struck by member 24 or some part movable in correspondency therewith, for actuating the solenoid 88 and valve 90, which control flow of pressured fluid to pneumatic cylinder 92. Energizing of cylinder 92 pulls the armor carriage 24 to retracted position, or position H, FIG. 9. It may here be noted that such retraction of carriage 24 causes the tie bar to lower, carrying with it the attached reach of chain 102; however, this movement of chain 102 is an idle movement due to the presence of the one-way clutch at sprocket 10.6 previously mentioned, but not illustrated because of the common nature of such clutches.

It should be noted that .blade 130, FIG. 4, is tilted downwardly during lowering of the sling, so as to avoid the possibility of damaging the sling. The blade, however, is fixed upon a rock shaft 134 from which extends a fixed lever 136. The outer end of lever 136 is pivoted at 138 upon the upper end of a link 140, whose lower end is pivoted at 142 upon a stationary part of frame 12. As must be evident from FIG. 6, a swinging of member 24 to the left causes link 140 to elevate the arm 136, and with it the blade 130, so that by the time carriage member 24 reaches a position of full retraction, the movable blade will be properly poised for severing the paper web at blade 132. Once the web is severed, the package 30a of FIG. 5 may gravitate along conveyor 36 and away from the boxing machine.

Following a severance of the web as noted above, that short portion of the web which overlies the station ry blade 132 is to be partially retracted into the throat between the guide platens 58 and 60, and this is accomplished by briefly energizing the motor 78 in reverse. Such brief reversal of motor 78 is effected by starter 1MR and limited by the operation of a timer TR3 operative while switch 3LS is close circuited.

riding up on shaft 84, as in FIG. 2. The motor 78 con-.

tinues to feed the web from roll 16, under the driving influence of gripper rolls 54, 56, until the web reaches approximately thepoint P of FIG. 2, when a timer TRZ opens the motor circuit, leaving the machine in the condition of FIG. 2.

It will be noted that support roller 62 has been lowered by the action of pneumatic cylinder 68 extending its piston upwardly, as solenoid 72 actuates control valve 70 incident to the closing of switch 3LS. The lowering of support roller 62 clears the way for advancement of the web to gripper rolls 74, 76, and enables said support roller to subsequently rise beneath and elevate the web for supporting a paper stack 20 in accordance with FIG. 3.

In the condition of the machine illustrated by FIG. 2, it is ready for another similar cycle of operation, such cycle to be initiated by placing an empty box upon box support 38, and then placing a stack of folded paper 20 upon conveyor 18, which conveyor 18 carries the stack into contact with switch 1LS which starts the boxing sequence as hereinbefore described.

It may here be noted that carriage 24, instead of having a rocking motion relative to the machine frame, might as well be a carriage supported for linear reciprocation horizontally toward and from the delivery end of conveyor 18, to perform the same functions as are performed by the rockable carriage or arm 24.

The following is an explanation of the wiring diagram, FIG. 10, and of the operating sequence of the machine.

(l) The stack of paper 20 on conveyor 18 actuates detector switch lLS, which in turn energizes relay CR1. The normally open contact of relay CR1 energizes sole noid 88 and seals itself in through timer TR2.

(2) The arm or carriage 24 advances under pneumatic force of cylinder 92, through position A (FIG. 9). At position A, limit switch 2LS is actuated and in turn energizes relay CR2. The normally open contact of relay CR2 energizes support roller solenoid 72 which actuates valve 70, and also seals itself in through TR2. This effects elevating of support roller 62 by air cylinder 68.

(3) Carriage 24 moves into position K. At position K, limit switch 4LS is actuated and in turn energizes timers TRZ. The TRZ instantaneous normally open contact energizes motor starter IMF, and in turn lMF starter contacts energize motor 78 to run in forward direction to feed paper from roll 16. The TRZ normally closed time contact, after a predetermined time, de-energizes lMF motor starter which in turn de-energizes motor 78.

(4) TRZ normally open time contact times closed, and along with CR2 relay energizes timer TRZ, which latter timer seals itself in. TR2 normally closed instantaneous contact opens, and de-energizes relay CR1. The normally open contact of relay CR1 de-energizes solenoid 88.

(5) Carriage 24 moves into position H. At position H, limit switch 3LS is actuated and in turn energizes timer TR3 along with timer TR2 contact. Normally closed time contact of TR3 energizes motor starter 1MR, causing motor 78 to run in reverse. Normally closed time contact of timer TR3 opens, de-energizing starter 1MR, causing motor 78 to stop.

(6) Normally open time contact of timer TR3 times closed, and energizes timer TR4. The normally open time contact times closed, and energizes TRZ timer.

(7) Instantaneous contact of timer TRZ energizes motor starter IMF, causing motor 78 to run forward. After a predetermined time, normally closed time contact of timer TRZ opens, de-energizing 1MF starter and timer TRZ, and thereby de-energizing motor 78.

The foregoing steps complete a cycle of operation, and leave the machine in starting condition as depicted by FIG. 2.

In the wiring diagram, the legends IMF and lMR indicate motor starters, 1 Motor Forward and 1 Motor Reverse. The legend Main Arm means the arm or carriage 24, and Pos. A, Pos. H, and Pos. K refer to the positions A, H and K indicated upon FIG. 9.

From all of the foregoing it will be apparent that the operating sequence is as follows.

Beginning at the starting position, FIG. 2, it is noted that cam 82 is holding the gripper rolls 74 and 76 separated, and between these separated rolls has been projected the leading end P of a web from roll 16, this having been performed by the motor 78 driving gripper rolls 54, 56 under the control of a timer. The attendant 'will now place an empty box on platform 38, and then place a paper stack 20 on the slowly advancing belts of conveyor 18.

As soon as stack 20 strikes and depresses the detector switch 1LS, said switch will initiate operation of air cylinder 92 to rather rapidly advance the arm or carriage 24 to the fully advanced position shown by broken lines in FIG. 3. At the same time, tie bar 100 will have been elevated to drive the chain 102 for effecting a rapid advance of conveyor 18, thereby to place stack 20 upon the taut section 28 of the paper sling which spans the space between support roller 62 and grippers 74, 76.

It must be appreciated that in the early stage of advancement of carriage 24, indicated by full lines 24 in FIG. 3, the air cylinder 68 will have been energized to elevate roller 62 to the stack-supporting position shown, and also, the gripper rolls 74, 76 will have been closed 8 upon the web to maintain the web taut as carriage 24 moves to the fully advanced position.

The next step, FIG. 4, involves gentle and even lowering of stack 20 by sling 28, by reason of motor 78 driving the chains, FIG. 1, numbered 122, 124, 126, along with the gripper rolls 74, 76 and 54, '56.

After the sling with stack 20 bottoms in box 30, the web leaves the gripper rolls 74, 76, and platform 38 tilts by gravity to send the loaded box onto delivery conveyor 36, FIG. 5; also, air cylinder 92 performs to retract carriage '24 toward the normal starting position. In the course of carriage retraction, blade is raised to cutting position by action of link 140, and the web is thusly severed near the stationary blade 132.

Following the web cut-off, air cylinder 68 is actuated to lower the stack support roller 62 to the broken line position 62 of FIG. 5, whereupon by a brief reversal of motor 78, the severed end of the web remaining at blade 132 will be retracted between the platens 58- and 60, but without a complete withdrawal therefrom. Then, by reason of a forward drive of motor 78, the severed end of the web will be projected from the space between the platens, to enter between the gripper rolls 74, 76, which are separated by the action of cam 82. The feed of web material through the space between gripper rolls 74, 76 continues, until the end P has reached the approximate position illustrated by FIG. 2, when by the action of timer TRZ, the motor is stopped and the machine is found conditioned for a subsequent Iboxing operation.

It may here be noted that the several electric switches or contactors employed can be placed at locations other than are suggested by the several drawing views, so long as the operating sequence thereof remains as herein set forth. Also, the various relays, timers, starters and other electrical components, may be encased as desired, and placed at any convenient location near or upon the machine.

The modification illustrated by FIG. 7, involves means for automatically, rather than manually, positioning the paper stack 20 upon sling 28 with the accordian folded sheets of the stack disposed horizontally. The structure includes a swing frame constituted of spaced parallel support bars which normally rest between the spaced parallel belts of conveyor 18. Frame 160, when disposed in the plane of conveyor 18, can be loaded with a stack 20 advanced by folding machine conveyor 22.

The frame 160 may carry an arcuate gate or interceptor 162, which normally depends from the frame when lowered to the plane of conveyor 18. When frame 160 is swung to the upright position shown by broken lines 160 of FIG. 7, gate 162 will move to the broken line position 162 so as to intercept and hold back the slowly advancing column of paper on conveyor 22. The gate will so intercept the paper on conveyor 22 until frame 160 is returned to the normal position in the plane of conveyor 18. Frame 160 may be moved between the planar position and the upright position above mentioned, by power supplied by a motor 164 or other suitable actuating means placed in operation incident to a predetermined advancement of paper along conveyor 22, or if desired, an attendant may control the movements of frame 160.

It will be noted that frame 160 in moving to the upright position, rotates the stack 20 ninety degrees, thereby to dispose its sheets horizontally as deposited on sling 28. The horizontal disposition of the stack sheets is favorable to lowering of the stack by the sling and into a box as previously explained. As will be understood, the continuous column of accordian folded paper advanced by folding machine conveyor 22, will be severed at predetermined locations along its length before the column reaches gate 162 so as to produce individual stacks or parcels such as 20 acceptable by swing frame 160. The severing operation may be performed either manually or automatically, as desired.

What I claim is:

1. A boxing machine for loading an article into an open topped shipping box, and comprising in combination: a conveyor for advancing an article to be boxed; a main frame supporting the conveyor; a movable carriage having an end portion and means supporting the carriage for movement of its said end portion toward and from said conveyor, between a retracted position in close proximity to the conveyor, and an advanced position remote from the conveyor; means for moving said carriage alternately to said retracted and advanced positions; means supporting a paper web in taut condition between the article conveyor and the end portion of the movable carriage when said carriage is advanced, for support of an article delivered by said conveyor to the taut portion of the web; means associated with said web support means, for lowering said web as a sling with the article embraced thereby, into the open top of a shipping box located beneath and between the conveyor and the advanced end portion of the movable carriage; and cutting means for severing said web to a predetermined length incident to the article lowering operation, whereby the article and the web used for lowering the article into the box, are receivable by the box with the web underlying the article in condition for use as a sling in removing the article from the box.

2. The machine as defined by claim 1, wherein is included means for producing a succession of said slings automatically, for the support and lowering of articles advanced in succession by said conveyor.

3. The machine as defined by claim 2, wherein the means last mentioned includes means responsive to movement of articles on the conveyor, for initiating the production of each such sling.

4. The machine as defined by claim 1, wherein the combination includes a platform tiltable on the frame for supporting the shipping box in article-receiving position, said platform including anti-friction means supporting the bottom of the box and inducing gravity displacement of the box from the article-receiving position when the platform is tilted to an inclined position.

5. The machine as defined by claim 4, wherein the platform includes an adjustable weight shiftable upon the platform to a position favorable to tilting of the platform under the combined weight of the box and the article therein, and unfavorable to tilting of the platform under the weight of the box alone.

6. The machine as defined by claim 1, wherein the means supporting and lowering said Web includes two spaced pairs of gripper rolls spanned by the web, said web being frictionally gripped between the rolls of each pair, said web lowering means including a motor operative to rotate said rolls in directions such as to advance different portions of the web at a common rate of speed while lowering an article into the shipping box.

7. The machine as defined by claim 6, wherein the combination includes a platform tiltable on the frame for supporting the shipping box in article-receiving position, said platform including antifriction means supporting the bottom of the box and inducing gravity displacement of the box from the article-receiving position when the platform is tilted to an inclined position; and means producing such tilting of the platform under the combined weight of the box and the inserted article; said box displacement serving to tension the web for severance by said cutting means.

8. A boxing machine for loading an article into an open topped shipping carton by means of a flexible sling, said machine comprising in combination: a main frame having an upper portion; a movable carriage having an end portion; and means supporting the carriage for movement of its said end portion between a retracted position in close proximity to said upper portion, and an advanced position remote from said upper portion of the main frame; power means for moving said carriage alternately to said two positions; a first pair of rotatable gripper rolls supported on the end portion of the carriage; and a second pair of rotatable gripper rolls supported on the upper portion of the main frame, for advancing the leading edge of a flexible paper web from a source of supply toward said first pair of rolls; motor driven means for rotating at least one roll of each pair of said gripper rolls; means operative at the retracted position of the carriage to temporarily separate said first gripper rolls thereon for acceptance of the leading edge of the web when advanced by said second pair of gripper rolls; means operative upon movement of the carriage from said retracted position, for placing the rolls of said first pair in gripping engagement with the leading edge of the web, thereby to pull the web taut between the first and second pairs of gripper rolls as the carriage moves to advanced position; the taut portion of the web being supportive of an article to be placed thereon and deposited in an open topped carton placed beneath the taut portion of the web; means operative at the advanced position of the carriage, for energizing the aforesaid motor driven means to pay out the web from both pairs of gripper rolls in the direction of the carton, and at equal rates of speed, thereby to sling and lower thearticle evenly into the carton, with the web disposed beneath and beside the article within the carton, said lowering of the web continuing until the aforesaid leading edge thereof leaves the first pair of gripper rolls; means for terminating the said pay-out of the web after release of said web by the first pair of gripper rolls; means thereafter operative to actuate said power means to return the carriage to the retracted position; cutting means operative during said carriage return to sever the web near the upper portion of the main frame, to free from the second pair of gripper rolls that portion of the web which underlies the article deposited in the carton; and means operative while the carriage is in the retracted position, to rethread the newly formed leading edge of the web resulting from the severance aforesaid, into the space between the first pair of gripper rolls carried by the carriage.

9. The machine as defined by claim 8, wherein the combination includes a platform tiltable on the frame, for supporting the carton in the article-receiving position, said platform including anti-friction means supporting the bottom of the carton and inducing gravity displacement of the carton from the article-receiving position when the platform is tilted to an inclined position, said carton displacement serving to tension the web for severance by said cutting means.

10. 'I he machine as defined by claim 9, wherein the platform includes an adjustable weight shiftable upon the platform under the combined weight of the carton and the article therein, and unfavorable to tilting of the platform under the weight of the carton alone.

11. The machine as defined by claim 8, wherein the combination includes: a rotatable web support roller parallel to the second pair of gripper rolls, and located in advance thereof to support the web as the latter is advanced by said second pair of gripper rolls; means supporting said web support roller for bodily movement upon the upper portion of the main frame, from an elevated position above, to a lowered position below, the line of advancement of the web by said second pair of rolls; and means operative to lower said web support roller as the movable carriage approaches the retracted position, and to elevate said web support roller as th carriage leaves the retracted position.

12. The machine as defined by claim 11, wherein the aforesaid rethreading of the newly formed leading edge of the web into the space between the first pair of gripper rolls carried by the carriage, is performed while the web support roller is in the lowered position, and is raised to the elevated position as the carriage leaves the position of retraction thereof.

13. The machine as defined by claim 11, wherein the combination includes a platform tiltable on the main frame, for support of the carton in the article-receiving position, said platform including anti-friction means supporting the bottom of the carton and inducing gravity displacement of the carton from the article-receiving position when the platform is tilted to an inclined position.

14. The machine as defined by claim 13, wherein the platform includes a weight shiftable upon the platform to a position favorable to tilting of the platform under the combined weight of the carton and the article therein, and unfavorable to tilting of the platform under the weight of the carton alone.

15. The machine as defined by claim 12, wherein the combination includes a platform tiltable on the main frame, for support of the carton in the article-receiving position, said platform including anti-friction means supporting the bottom of the carton and inducing gravity displacement of the carton from the article-receiving position when the platform is tilted to an inclined position.

16. The machine as defined by claim 15, wherein the platform includes a Weight shiftable upon the platform to a position favorable to tilting of the platform under the combined weight of the carton and the article therein, and unfavorable to tilting of the platform under the weight of the carton alone.

17. The machine as defined by claim 8, wherein the combination includes: an article conveyor supported by the upper portion of the main frame, but advancing an article onto the web held taut by the gripper rolls; and means operative concurrently with advancement of the carriage, for advancing said conveyor and the article thereon.

18. The machine as defined by claim 12, wherein the combination includes: an article conveyor suported by the main frame, for advancing an article onto the web held taut by the pairs of gripper rolls; and means operative concurrently with advancement of the carriage, for advancing said conveyor and the article thereon.

19. The machine as defined by claim 8, wherein said rethreading means includes a web guide having a throat to direct the first pair of gripper rolls, the leading edge of the web advanced by the second pair of gripper rolls; a rotatable web support roller parallel to the second pair of gripper rolls and located in advance of the web guide throat; means supporting said web support roller for bodily movement from an elevated position above to a lowered position below, the throat of the web guide; means operative to lower said web support roller as the movable carriage approaches the position of retraction, and to elevate said web support roller as the carriage leaves said position of retraction; and means operative to effect a limited reverse movement of the web within the web guide throat prior to an advancement of the leading edge of the web between the temporarily separated rolls of the first pair of gripper rolls.

20. The machine as defined by claim 19, wherein the means last mentioned lowers the web support roller subsequently to severance of the web by said cutting means, and elevates said web support roller after initial feeding of the leading edge of the web produced by the cut-off, into the space between the temporarily separated 12 rolls of the first pair of gripper rolls supported by the carriage.

21. The machine as defined by claim 20, wherein the combination includes: an article conveyor supported by the main frame, for advancing an article onto the web held taut by the pairs of gripper rolls; and means operative concurrently with advancement of the carriage, for advancing said conveyor and the article thereon.

22. The machine as defined by claim 21, wherein the combination includes: a platform tiltable on the frame, for supporting the carton in the article-receiving position, said platform including anti-friction means supporting the bottom of the carton and inducing gravity displacement of the carton from the article-receiving position when the platform is tilted to an inclined position.

23. The machine as defined by claim 22, wherein the platform includes an adjustable Weight locatable upon the platform at a position favorable to tilting of the platform under the combined weight of the carton and the article therein, and unfavorable to tilting of the platform under the weight of the carton alone.

24. The machine as defined by claim 22, wherein said gravity displacement of the carton is of such order as to tension the web for severance by said cutting means.

25. The method of boxing an untractable stack of accordion folded paper comprising interconnected flexible sheets difiicult to handle, said method comprising: supporting upon its closed bottom an open-topped carton; feeding a flexible sling across the open top of the carton, said sling having opposite end portions and an intermediate saddle portion; placing the stack upon said saddle portion, and suspending said stack and saddle portion by means of said end portions while lowering the stack and the sling into the open top of the carton; then closing the top of the carton upon the article and the entire sling, with the stack remaining upon he saddle portion of the sling, whereby the sling is available for subsequent use in lifting the stack from the carton after opening the top thereof.

26. The method as defined by claim 25, wherein the stack when placed upon the saddle portion of the sling, has its interconnected sheets disposed in parallelism with said saddle portion.

27. The method as defined by claim 25, wherein the opposite end portions of the sling are of greater length than the height of the stack.

28. The method as defined by claim 26, wherein the opposite end portions of the sling are of greater length than the height of the stack of sheets.

29. The method as defined by claim 25, wherein both end portions of the sling are lowered always at a common rate of speed, for maintaining a horizontal disposition of said saddle portion for horizontal disposition thereof upon the carton bottom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,767,536 10/1956 Forkel 53-245X TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner s. c1. X.R. 53-26, 163, 167, 176 

